Public Act 1088 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4756 Enrolled LRB096 16292 KTG 31917 b

Public Act 096-1088

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Farmers' market" means a nontraditional fresh food market, licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits, where farmers or growers sell a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and other locally-grown farm products directly to consumers.

"LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits or cash.

Section 10. Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program.

(a) The Department of Human Services and the Department of Agriculture shall implement a Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program. The purpose of this program is to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other LINK eligible food products, including quality meat and dairy, for all Illinois residents by allowing LINK program participants to redeem their SNAP benefits at farmers' markets. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Agriculture shall solicit federal and State funding for the purpose of implementing this program.

(b) The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury for the purpose of implementing the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program. All monies received pursuant to this Act shall be deposited into the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Fund. Funding for the program must be used for one or more of the following purposes:

(1) The purchase or rental of wireless point of sale terminals capable of processing SNAP benefits disbursed under the LINK program.

(2) Monthly or transaction fees associated with LINK card transactions. No fees related to credit or debit transactions will be reimbursed.

(3) Outreach to LINK program participants.

Section 15. Implementation of regulations. The Department of Human Services shall adopt necessary rules and shall implement the program by March 31, 2011.

Section 20. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.755 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.755 new)

Sec. 5.755. The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Fund.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2010.